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Joanna Champagne, Kindergarten
With a background in music and theatre, Ms. Joanna brings our K5 classroom to life with music and song! Students learn weekly Bible verses through daily practice with music and hand motions. Ms. Joanna is an incredible phonics teacher and is passionate about helping children learn to love reading. She has one son Elijah and lives in Opelika.
Email: jochamp5656@gmail.com
Lauren Dowdell, 1st Grade Language Arts & Math
Lauren Dowdell is from Hatchechubbee, AL. She graduated from Lee-Scott Academy and then attended Auburn University where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education. She has since received additional training and development in the Science of Reading. She has taught kindergarten in Opelika City and first grade in Lee County.
Lauren currently lives in Society Hill with her husband, James and daughter Charlotte, and she is a lifelong member of Society Hill Methodist Church. She enjoys reading, walking her dog, crafting, and spending time with friends and family. She is so excited to learn and grow with her students both academically and spiritually at The Oaks!
Email: lauren.dowdell1@gmail.com
Audrey Burkett, 1st Grade Science & Social Studies
Audrey was born and raised in Auburn and graduated from Auburn High School. She then pursued a technical degree while living in Georgia where she met her husband, Ross. She has a 13 year old daughter who attends The Oaks. Audrey is a member of Church of the Highlands in Auburn. After following God's calling to work with children, she worked for Lee County Schools for four years. This will be her third full year as a co-teacher at The Oaks. She gets to use her passion for helping children grow and learn through teaching Bible, Science, and Social Studies. Audrey creates additional learning experiences for her students using art, music, and STEM. She is looking forward to another great year at The Oaks!
Email: aburkett@theoaksschool.org
Jamie Johnson, 2nd Grade
Jamie brings 9 years of elementary education experience and a passion for helping students develop a lifelong love of learning. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Troy University and her master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama.
Jamie and her family are excited to be part of The Oaks community. Her 10-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter will also be students at The Oaks, and we are grateful to welcome their family into this next season with us.
Email: jjohnson@theoaksschool.org
Eliza Ogle, 3rd Grade
Eliza Ogle was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. While at Auburn, she was an active member of the AU Singers and faithfully served at Lakeview Baptist Church, where she met her husband, Jacob.
After graduating, Eliza and Jacob were married in 2024 and chose to make Auburn their home, where they both work and enjoy life with their sweet fur baby, Cash. She continues to attend and serve at Lakeview Baptist Church as the children’s choir director, where she loves combining music, movement, and Bible truths to help children grow in their faith.
In her free time, Eliza enjoys listening to music, creating choreography, and spending time with Cash. She is excited to begin her third year of teaching and looks forward to investing in her third-grade students academically, spiritually, and personally while sharing the love of Jesus each day.
Email: eogle@theoaksschool.org
Kellie Heidt, 4th Grade
Kellie Heidt is the fourth grade teacher for the 2026-27 school year. Kellie was a middle school and high school teacher for The Oaks since 2019 and then served as Academic Advisor. She has a Master’s in Education in Curriculum and Instruction and English.
She is a reading specialist and a certified Barton Dyslexia tutor, a certified dyscalculia tutor through Educalc, a certified Kids’ Life Coach through Adventures in Wisdom, and a certified Homeschool Coach.
She owns her own business, Take Flight Tutoring and Coaching LLC, where she offers coaching and tutoring for dyslexia, dyscalculia, executive functioning/organizing skills, study skills/college prep, homeschooling consultation, and positive mindset skills development such as self-esteem, confidence, and self-talk in one-on-one coaching sessions and workshops.
She is a proud military wife of 25 years as her husband, Dan, retired from the US Navy in 2018. She has two grown children, William and Caroline, who make her proud every day, and her fur baby, Hadrian, a 7 lb. Chiweenie, who rules the house.
Email: kheidt@theoaksschool.org
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Erika Shea, 5th Grade Language Arts & Math
Erika was born and raised in Smiths Station. She then attended Columbus State University to receive her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. Now, she has nearly completed her Masters with Liberty University in Mental Health Counseling. Erika has worked in both college ministry at CSU and Auburn University helping college students not only succeed in their classes, but to understand the Word of God and live authentic lives in Christ. She then returned to education to support teachers as a long term substitute for all grades in Lee County and a Contract Tutor in Math and Reading for West Smiths Station. She is excited to now become a part of the Oaks family.
Email: eshea@theoaksschool.org
Madison Carter, 5th Grade Science and History
Madison was born and raised in a small town in Missouri. She and her husband, Marquise, have two boys who both attend The Oaks. Madison has always had a heart for helping others, and her passion for working with children has led her to pursue a career in education. While her professional background began outside of education, those experiences have provided her with valuable skills she is excited to bring into the classroom. She also serves In Highlands Kids at Church of the Highlands, where she enjoys helping children learn, grow, and feel loved. Madison believes every child deserves a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment where they can reach their full potential. She looks forward to building meaningful relationships with her students and families while creating a classroom filled with kindness, curiosity, and memorable learning experiences.
Email: mcarter@theoaksschool.org
Kasey Owens, Middle School Language Arts & History
Originally from Missouri where she married her husband, Paul, 39 years ago and raised two children, they uprooted and moved to Alabama in 2011. Kasey graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a B.S. in education and received her Master's degree from William Woods University. She has worked with students in many facets over the years including personal aide for the hearing impaired, school librarian, as well as a classroom teacher. She loves encouraging young people in their journey to seek the Lord and follow their purpose. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends and especially her five grandchildren. Kasey is very excited to be at The Oaks.
Email: kowens@theoaksschool.org
Amanda Jones, Middle School Math & Science
Amanda is originally from Beauregard and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. She and her husband moved to Warner Robins, GA, where she taught public school for 3 years. There, she earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Walden University. She and her family moved back to Auburn 11 years ago. She homeschooled her 4 daughters for 4 years before joining The Oaks.
Email: jonesad21@gmail.com
Angela Reinhardt, 7th-12th Grade History & Language Arts
Angela Reinhardt is from Southern California. She studied Communication with an emphasis on Journalism for four years at Cal Poly Pomona University and AUM. She also attended college at The University of the Nations for three years, where she intricately studied the Bible, as well as trained as a missionary. Through her missions work, she has called places like England, Egypt and Hawaii, home. Angela has been married for 17 years and has four children who attend The Oaks. She homeschooled her children for five years and has a passion for history and traveling. Currently, she is finishing a degree at Troy University, with a major in History and a minor in English.
Email: historyattheoaks@gmail.com
Susan Hansen, 7th Grade Math & Precalculus
Susan Hansen grew up in Zimbabwe and attended high school at Rift Valley Academy, Kenya. She graduated from Samford University and then attended UAB for her Master’s in Education. She has taught college level English in China, high school and middle school in Birmingham, AL, elementary school in Whittier, California and academic support in Mandeville, Louisiana. She became a huge math fan after leading math clubs for homeschool groups and discovering so much of God’s character revealed in the order and beauty of math concepts.
Susan Hansen has been married for 30 years and has 4 sons that she had the privilege of homeschooling for many years. She enjoys reading, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking and spending time with family.
Email: shansen@theoaksschool.org
Coach Everett Thomas, PE, Physical Training, Basketball Coach
Married to the lovely Latoya Thomas w/ 2 girls and 2 boys, Coach Everett graduated from Auburn University in May 2003 with a BS (Exercise Science/Kinesiology). He was on the scout team under Coach Joe Champi, Auburn University Women’s Basketball Team from 2001-2002. He was a teacher for 10 years, with coaching duties in Basketball, Soccer, and Football, and won a State Title in soccer in 2009 at Lyman Ward Military Academy. He also won the 4A area and reached the final four 2 years straight and championship game as Head Basketball coach. He was the Athletic Director at Lyman Ward Military Academy for 4 years. Coach Everett started an athletic company called DSAA (District Silverbackz Athletic Association) that houses basketball training (SST), adult basketball, and 7 AAU basketball teams that competed at ESPN Center @ Walt Disney Resorts 2019.
Email: ethomas@theoaksschool.org
David Shabo, Athletic Director
David was born and raised in Auburn, AL. He received his Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Auburn University. He received his Masters degree in Business Administration from AUM. David has owned and operated his own insurance business in the Auburn/Opelika area since 2001. David has a passion for youth sports and has coached basketball and baseball for the past 8 years in school, travel, and parks & recreation sports.
David and his wife Jessica currently reside in Auburn with their two sons, Noah and Jonah who both attend The Oaks School.
Email: dshabo@theoaksschool.org
Zane McWhorter, Chapel Leader
Zane graduated from Highlands College with an Associate of Ministry Leadership and has been leading worship for over five years. He serves as a worship leader at Church of the Highlands and also leads worship with STS Worship at camps and conferences. Zane has a passion for helping students grow in their relationship with Jesus through music. He enjoys creating music, songwriting, and encouraging the next generation to use their gifts for God's glory. He is excited to be a part of The Oaks family and looks forward to helping students experience personal moments with the Lord through worship.
Email: zmcwhorter@theoaksschool.org
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Ashley Jeffares, Principal
Ashley Jeffares is originally from Reeltown, Alabama. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in K–6 Elementary and Collaborative Education and her Master of Science in K–6 Elementary Education from Troy University.
Ashley is entering her 20th year in education. She spent 11 years teaching third grade with Lee County Schools before joining The Oaks when the school first opened in 2018. Since then, she has been privileged to help grow and serve the school community and is honored to serve as Principal.
Her three daughters—Kelsi, Klaira, and Kendall—also love being part of The Oaks family. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys reading, spending time at the lake or the beach, and anything that involves crafting or creating.
Email: admin@theoaksschool.org
Ginger Hallmark, Head of School
Ginger Hallmark graduated from Auburn University with a BS and MS in Agricultural Economics with a focus on Economic Development. Ginger worked for five years as a grant writer for local governments. In 2011, she started Discovery Christian School, a homeschool cover school that is now serving over 250 families in the Auburn-Opelika area. In 2018, she helped launch The Oaks School. Ginger is passionate about creating a school culture where students feel loved and cared for, while being challenged to excel in their God-given strengths.
Ginger and her husband, Josh, also own a real estate company in Florida. She has four children who also attend The Oaks School.
Email: admin@theoaksschool.org
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Josh Hallmark, Executive Director
Josh, from Boaz, AL has lived in the Auburn area for almost 30 years and has spent most of his adult life in organizational leadership. He graduated from Auburn University in Ag Economics where he met his wife, Ginger. In 2000 he completed Youth With a Mission's (YWAM) Discipleship Training School in Tyler, Texas where he was deeply impacted by God's love.
He and his wife Ginger spent 14 years leading Chi Alpha, a university ministry at Auburn, and more than 10 years pastoring Campus Church and The Oaks Church. The Hallmarks have 4 children and have journeyed together in numerous other training, ministry, and business ventures in their 23 years of marriage. They have truly partnered in life, ministry, business and now in education.
Josh is a lifelong learner and loves to pioneer new territory. He and Ginger started The Oaks School in 2018 to educate and empower tomorrow’s leaders in the marketplace and beyond. They are also real estate investors and own a real estate and vacation rental business on the Emerald Coast of Florida.
One of Josh's favorite quotes is from Edwin Louis Cole: "Maturity does not come with age, but with the acceptance of responsibility."
Email: admin@theoaksschool.org
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